Preserving herbs and edibles is a meditative process for me. It connects me to the earth, my spiritual center, and wonder with the natural world. I spent most of my early childhood in the woods or in the garden with my grandpa. Connecting with natural processes that harness the nurturing qualities of plants is something that is very close to my heart. I try to explore and share this feeling in this mini film.
This video is the result of many experiments as I try to improve my creative toolset. I wanted to learn and get better at a few different things: getting comfortable with my new lens, finding a video editing workflow, bringing the beautiful into the mundane, and exploring a visual film style.
This project combines many firsts: first time using my Lumix lens setup, first time filming something longer while attempting a visual narrative, first time color correcting and grading outside of traditional photography, and first time trying to edit something longer than 45 seconds, Feedback is welcome, but please be kind.
How to Preserve Aloe Vera:
1. Cut stems, soak in water for 30 minutes. You’ll see a yellow component come out- you want this. This is a laxative that can be irritating to the skin.
2. Cut or peel off the spiny bits of the aloe leaves.
3. Chop those leaves in half with something that won’t kill you (I used a butter knife from the thrift store. It worked fine.)
4. Scrape out the goop.
5. Blend the goop until it’s smooth.
6. Strain the goop with cheesecloth or something similar.
7. Portion the goop in airtight containers. 8. Store in the fridge for a month, or in the freezer for 6 months. I opt for freezer for longer storage.
I use aloe on my hair, skin, in smoothies, and for the classic burn injury. As always, make sure to do your research and consult with a health professional before using any herbal products regularly. What works for one person’s body may not work for another.
My Gear:
Camera: PANASONIC LUMIX GX850